The Chicago Bears got an early start on the hardest part of the offseason, as the team parted ways with safety Eddie Jackson and offensive lineman Cody Whitehair on Thursday. These two were the longest-tenured players on the Bears, but Chicago decided it was in their best interest to clear salary cap space and move on from these longtime staples of the organization.
At the peak of his powers, there was a case to be made that Eddie Jackson was a top-five safety in the game. The former fourth-round pick boasted incredible range and anticipation to cover the entire field while also delivering crushing hits in run support. While that version of Jackson isn’t around anymore, he can still be a good player in the right system and should have a decent market.
5 Teams That Should Sign Eddie Jackson
The biggest worry every team will have with Eddie Jackson is trying to figure out which version of him shows up in 2024. Jackson had a phenomenal year in 2022, recording the second-best PFF grade of his career while hauling in four interceptions. In 2023, however, he came crashing down to Earth, finishing the season with an underwhelming 58.6 overall grade.
This uncertainty means that Eddie Jackson probably won’t break the bank with his new team. Somebody is going to roll the dice on the Alabama product finding his old form, as the reward outweighs the risk. If he doesn’t work out, then he’ll just spend some time on the bench. If it does work out, then one lucky team will have a great starter on a bargain deal. In no particular order, the following five teams are in the best position to make that wager.
Best Fits
Green Bay Packers
If any team knows just how good Eddie Jackson can be, it’s the Green Bay Packers. This team nearly made it to the NFC Championship Game despite having the youngest roster in the league. This shows the team has the right foundation in place for sustained success, now they just need to find the right veterans to take them over the top. With Darnell Savage possibly departing in free agency, Jackson is a perfect fit to take over and solidify the back half of the defense.
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are going to look different in 2024. With several big-name free agents like Justin Madubuike, Jadeveon Clowney, Kyle Van Noy, and Geno Stone, Baltimore is going to have to pick and choose who they bring back for the upcoming season. Geno Stone had a great year in Baltimore, and he might be too expensive for the team to re-sign. Kyle Hamilton and Marcus Williams are a great safety duo, but if the team is looking for a cost-effective replacement for Stone, then Eddie Jackson might be the man for the job.
New Orleans Saints
Death, taxes, and the New Orleans Saints finding ways to navigate the salary cap. The team needs multiple starters if they want to make it back to the playoffs, and Eddie Jackson could help accomplish that goal. He’s certainly not going to receive a massive contract, and he’d have the potential to form an elite safety duo with Tyrann Mathieu.
Atlanta Falcons
Jessie Bates is a fantastic player, but every other safety on the depth chart leaves something to be desired. The Falcons have the pieces to make a deep postseason run with the right quarterback, but they should consider finding someone who can better complement Bates’ unique skill set. Eddie Jackson is a perfect fit for this team and should do well under first-year head coach Raheem Morris.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers are going to be one of the most fascinating teams of the offseason. The team is currently well over the salary cap, but they can easily lower their cap number by parting ways with multiple big-name veterans. Jim Harbaugh probably won’t completely blow up this roster, which means he’ll need to go bargain-shopping for some low-cost free agents with decent upside. Eddie Jackson fits this description to a tee and would be a great fit for a defense that couldn’t stop anything last year.
Main Photo: Dan Powers – USA Today Sports
